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Wine Reviews

HomeWine Reviews (Page 25)

  While 2020 was straight-up awful, 2021 had a few more ups. Certainly there were downs! But the slowly slowly back to normal life certainly made the downs more bearable. Oh and my book finally came out! So that was a huge highlight for me! Of course I drank a ton of wine in 2021! I haven't actually posted reviews of all of them yet (I drink faster than I write); so just a quick look at some of my favorite wines from 2021. The Whites I won't lie, I vastly prefer white wine to red wine. Sadly for me, Turkey seems to think that it's a red wine country so there

  Even before my obsession enthusiasm for Turkish wine began, I knew the name Chateau Nuzun. I knew it as the closest winery to Istanbul and that it made wine with organic grapes. Neither of those things have changed. However, I now know a little bit more about the winery and the phenomenal woman, Nazan Uzun, behind it. Before organic viticulture reached its current level of popularity in Turkey, Nazan farmed organically. The majority of her vineyards give a home to international grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and tiny amounts of Zinfandel and the native Öküzgözü. At few years ago, at the inaugural Kök Köken Toprak conference, Nazan

  Last year, 7Bilgeler Khilon Fumé Blanc joined the ranks of oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc in Turkey. Sauvignon Blanc enjoys huge popularity in Turkey. It grows across Thrace, the Marmara, and all over the Aegean. Flavor profiles range from rich with ripe stone fruit to lean and racy. Oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc took a little longer to take off than the grape itself. Early versions showed a heavy hand with oak and were clumsy and just not very good. But things have vastly improved and now I'm no longer afraid when I see "fumé" on a label. I previously reviewed 7Bilgeler's Khilon (the not fumé version) and now it's time to talk oak. 7Bilgeler Khilon

  Some grapes are natural blending partners. Cabernet Sauvingon and Merlot. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Boğazkere and Öküzgözü. But what about Sauvignon Blanc and Narince?  Narince is one of Turkey's most popular white grapes. Sauvingon Blanc is just one of the most popular grapes here period. But they're not often seen together. Arcadia makes a blend of these, but in tiny quantities and it's next to impossible to find. Now, however, Ayda Bağları is getting into the game with a blend of its own! Narince's weight balances so well with the high acidity from Sauvignon Blanc. Both grapes share a citrus element in their flavor profile and compliment each other with

  Quick, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about sparkling wine? I could take a few guesses. But I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that none of those things are: Turkey, Central Anatolia, or Kalecik Karası. Unless you happen to be a fan of my blog. In which case, hi mom! Whether or not these are things that pop into your mind when you think about sparkling wine, all three things are related to it. And for this month's #WinePW Bubbles From Around the World conversation, they're what I'm talking about. If anyone thought of those three things, it was Ardıç

  I recently came back from a trip to Crete. My first time on the island, in fact my first time in ages outside of Athens. I met E&M there for M's 40th birthday. But bonus! I also got to meet up with my awesome friend Anna Maria of Unraveling Wine and Chania Wine Tours! We spent the week there in what, apparently, was some of the worst weather they've had in years. Pouring buckets of rain, what felt like gale force winds, and a 5.8 earthquake. We got rained out of several activities and/or things were closed for the season. But, a few nice moments with blue skies allowed

  Barel Bağları Gamay joins the (albeit limited) ranks of Turkish Gamays. Why this grape has suddenly become so popular is mystery - to me at least. But with at least five wineries suddenly released varietal wines or Gamay blends, it seems to taking off. Barel Bağları  Barel Bağları was founded in 1997 with the aim of adding a little bit more taste to the life by the Akın family. While Barel’s name comes from the names of two siblings Elif and Barkın Akın brothers; the winery is in the hands of youngest of the Akıns, Barkın. The Akın family made their own wine for family and friends years before they officially

  I realized some time ago that I'd not reviewed the Sevilen Plato Öküzgözü, nor in fact any of Sevilen's Plato wines. Now, with Sevilen debuting a new Plato Narince (cannot wait to get a bottle!) I thought it's about time I got around to doing it. In the spring I opened two different wines from this series, the Kalecik Karası and Öküzgözü. Going to tackle the Öküzgözü here since I seem to be on an Öküzgözü roll lately!  While Öküzgözü originates in Elazığ in Turkey's north east, Sevilen's vineyards are located in Denizli in the inner Aegean. While much of Denizli sits at pretty high elevations, the overall climate

  This year, I get the honor of kicking of the #WinePW 2022 calendar with a celebration of bubbles from around the world! For this month's theme, it does not matter if your bubbles are traditional method, tank method, or otherwise. If it fizzes it's fair game! Stick to a classic like Champagne, Franciacorta, Prosecco, or Cava